Your doctor can use this test to diagnose you or to see how
well you've responded to treatment. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, an MRI
doesn't use radiation.
As in other
instrumental studies, an MRI study has some restrictions that are absolute and
relative. The
most important limitation is metals in the body, such as deformations of
unknown origin, metal implants.
Absolute
restrictions include ear implants and pacemakers. It
is important that newly created pacemakers using new technologies allow
patients to undergo MRI examination.
Absolute
restriction is patient’s high weight, as device manufacturers place some
restrictions on the weight and height of the patient.
Relative
restrictions include claustrophobia, the first trimester of pregnancy and the
patient’s severe condition.
As
for dental implants, their presence is not a limitation to MRI research, but in
some cases, implants can cause serious artifacts. The same applies to the
coronary arteries. Therefore,
before the survey, the patient should submit the medical documents of the
stents in order to assess when, where and how many stents were placed, and
whether this is a limitation to the examination.
Thus,
before starting the study, the patient must inform the doctor about the metal
present in his/her body, and then only decide the feasibility of the study.
Computed
tomography of the abdominal cavity is one of the most frequently performed
studies. Due
to the high resolution of the computed tomography method, the use of scanning
algorithms with very multiple sections, you can see changes in size from a few millimeters and identify
pathological processes at a minimal stage. Abdominal
CT is prescribed in case of complaints in the gastrointestinal tract, liver,
gallbladder and biliary tract, pancreas, spleen, intestines. Complaints
can be in the form of pain, colic, fever and sudden weight loss. A
CT scan is also shown if another study has been conducted, for example, an
ultrasound scan and a suspicious area has been identified that needs to be
investigated in detail.
If
during the study a suspicious zone or tumor is detected, intravenous bolus
contrasting is used to more accurately assess the condition of organs and
tissues, identify pathological changes in them and conduct a possible
differential diagnosis of the nature of the changes detected.